ASYE applicants welcome (Band 5 progression route available)
Closing date: 22 June 2026
Join a specialist forensic mental health service and help support people on their recovery journey from secure care back into the community.
We are recruiting a Forensic Social Worker to join the multidisciplinary team at The Hellingly Centre, Sussex Partnership's medium secure forensic inpatient service.
This is an excellent opportunity to work within a specialist forensic environment supporting men and women with mental health needs and offending or challenging behaviour, using a trauma-informed approach.
Why this role stands out
* Join a specialist medium secure forensic service
* Work as part of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team
* Support patients through recovery, rehabilitation and discharge planning
* Opportunities to work across complex mental health, forensic and social care pathways
* Strong focus on professional development and supervision
* ASYE applicants encouraged to apply with a structured development pathway
Who can apply
* Qualified Social Workers registered with Social Work England
We also welcome applications from newly qualified Social Workers seeking to complete their ASYE programme.
You’ll ideally have:
* Knowledge of mental health and social care legislation
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills
* Experience working with complex needs and risk
* A commitment to trauma-informed practice
* Interest in forensic mental health and rehabilitation
The role
As a Forensic Social Worker, you'll play a vital role in supporting patients through secure recovery and helping plan successful transitions back into the community.
You will:
* Hold and manage a caseload within a forensic inpatient setting
* Attend ward rounds, CPA reviews and multidisciplinary meetings
* Support discharge planning and community reintegration
* Work closely with families, carers and external agencies
* Provide advice regarding the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding responsibilities
* Prepare reports for Mental Health Tribunals and the Ministry of Justice
* Give evidence at Mental Health Tribunals where required
* Support welfare, housing and social care planning
* Contribute to psychotherapeutic and recovery-focused interventions
This is a varied role offering opportunities to work across health, social care, criminal justice and community systems.
About the service
The Hellingly Centre is Sussex Partnership's medium secure forensic service.
The service provides specialist care for people with significant mental health needs who require treatment within secure settings before progressing to less restrictive environments.
The multidisciplinary team includes:
* Occupational Therapists
All working together to support recovery, rehabilitation and safe discharge planning.
We are committed to supporting your career development through:
* Regular professional and managerial supervision
* Access to specialist forensic training
* Trust-wide learning and development programmes
* Support for ASYE completion where applicable
What we’re looking for
o Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and safeguarding legislation
o Strong assessment and risk management skills
o Experience working in partnership with multiple agencies
o Confidence communicating complex information professionally
o A commitment to recovery-focused and trauma-informed care
Previous forensic experience is advantageous but not essential.
What we offer
o Structured supervision and support
o Specialist forensic experience within a highly regarded service
o Excellent training and development opportunities
o Generous annual leave entitlement
o Flexible working opportunities where service needs allow
o A Trust rated 'Good' overall and 'Outstanding' for Caring by the CQC
Why join this team?
This is an opportunity to develop specialist forensic social work skills within a supportive and experienced team.
You’ll be part of a service focused on:
o Recovery and rehabilitation
o Partnership working and community reintegration
o Professional development and learning
o Improving outcomes for people with complex mental health needs
If you're looking for a rewarding social work role where you can make a meaningful difference to people's recovery journeys, we'd love to hear from you.
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